VoksMoth
6 reviews liked by VoksMoth
I hate this game, no kiddin'
I hate it and I love it, but in terms of the main bulk of it (single player, Grand Prix, Tutorial, etc.) it a massive middle fingers for those looking to have a fun time playing a proper single player racing game, especially since SRB2K lacked one besides time attack.
Cpus/Rivals cheat with frantic items, better boosts and rubberbanding up the ass, Tracks can range from being insanely fun, to straight up torture, yet this won't matter since Cpus will just cheat through the maps, making the experience even worse no matter how good they are. and the ranking system and points deducitons from retrying or failing to win a race is just demotivating. The icing on the cake is the many unlockables behind single player, including stuff like Online and Addons! (Who thought this was a good idea)
BUT, even with this being said, looking past...well, basically the entire package of the game, the "game" itself it actually really fun and the new mechanics are really fun to learn, only thing I'm not fond of is the trick system, which simultaneously, is kind meh AND is barely utilized in the tracks themselves, almost as if it was a last-minute addition to this badly mixed game.
I have hopes soon this game gets the updates and patches it needs to make the game fun, but till then...idk.
I hate it and I love it, but in terms of the main bulk of it (single player, Grand Prix, Tutorial, etc.) it a massive middle fingers for those looking to have a fun time playing a proper single player racing game, especially since SRB2K lacked one besides time attack.
Cpus/Rivals cheat with frantic items, better boosts and rubberbanding up the ass, Tracks can range from being insanely fun, to straight up torture, yet this won't matter since Cpus will just cheat through the maps, making the experience even worse no matter how good they are. and the ranking system and points deducitons from retrying or failing to win a race is just demotivating. The icing on the cake is the many unlockables behind single player, including stuff like Online and Addons! (Who thought this was a good idea)
BUT, even with this being said, looking past...well, basically the entire package of the game, the "game" itself it actually really fun and the new mechanics are really fun to learn, only thing I'm not fond of is the trick system, which simultaneously, is kind meh AND is barely utilized in the tracks themselves, almost as if it was a last-minute addition to this badly mixed game.
I have hopes soon this game gets the updates and patches it needs to make the game fun, but till then...idk.
Sonic Spinball is a fun idea in concept, but in execution it's frustrating beyond belief. Collecting emeralds in this game is almost puzzle-esque, but Sonic's terrible physics get in the way of any potential fun to be had figuring out how these levels work. Game's way too punishing as well, one slip-up can send you back to the start of the stage. Not too fun, but not the worst.
An incredibly good platformer that needed some extra time in the oven.
The gameplay fundamentals of this game are some of the most enjoyable I've seen from a platformer in a long time - it's all about learning how to optimize your movement and getting a feel for the controls. Save for some minor grievances with control feel and wishing there was a bit more variety with level structure and bosses, the main thing that I feel could dock this game some points for people is the lack of polish. There are a few bugs that can lead to death, which I can see frustrating people. They didn't bother me too much, but I'd hate for a very fun game's reputation to be soured by something like this when it's overall quite good.
The gameplay fundamentals of this game are some of the most enjoyable I've seen from a platformer in a long time - it's all about learning how to optimize your movement and getting a feel for the controls. Save for some minor grievances with control feel and wishing there was a bit more variety with level structure and bosses, the main thing that I feel could dock this game some points for people is the lack of polish. There are a few bugs that can lead to death, which I can see frustrating people. They didn't bother me too much, but I'd hate for a very fun game's reputation to be soured by something like this when it's overall quite good.
Penny's Big Breakaway! Its an incredible ride that was surprisingly challenging with its unique movement and tight level design. This game bouncing between being super rewarding when you get the hang of it, but also a bit punishing when you slip up or make a wrong turn. Bosses were so=so, definitely a low point, but they were still interesting in their own light
Music is a no brainer, bangers all arounds that not only fit the levels, but are also heavy earworms that I find myself humming outside from the game.
I have to address the elephant of the room, this game definitely felt a bit underbaked in some departments, and while the bugs and softlocks weren't too punishing, I can't deny that it was a by product of it being underbaked
Still, I really love this game, and I surely look forward to see more updates, patches, or content for this series in the future
Music is a no brainer, bangers all arounds that not only fit the levels, but are also heavy earworms that I find myself humming outside from the game.
I have to address the elephant of the room, this game definitely felt a bit underbaked in some departments, and while the bugs and softlocks weren't too punishing, I can't deny that it was a by product of it being underbaked
Still, I really love this game, and I surely look forward to see more updates, patches, or content for this series in the future
Final Fantasy XIII
2009
Final Fantasy XIII is certainly a conflicting entry in the series.
While I did have my fun and admired quite a few of its aspects, it's hard to ignore its shortcomings in a series full of great games. This game feels reminiscent of X, but lacks its strengths and is marked by new weaknesses in their absence. I admire the game on a visual level and the music is quite nice, but the overall pacing and area design left me wanting the end to arrive sooner.
I will be giving XIII-2 a look eventually though. It seems to remedy many of my personal gripes with this game, and I'd like to give it a fair shake.
While I did have my fun and admired quite a few of its aspects, it's hard to ignore its shortcomings in a series full of great games. This game feels reminiscent of X, but lacks its strengths and is marked by new weaknesses in their absence. I admire the game on a visual level and the music is quite nice, but the overall pacing and area design left me wanting the end to arrive sooner.
I will be giving XIII-2 a look eventually though. It seems to remedy many of my personal gripes with this game, and I'd like to give it a fair shake.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder isn't just a personal reminder of why I came to love this series, it's a reminder to everyone, including the Mario series itself, what Mario is all about.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder returns to Mario's fairy tale inspirations with its setting and premise. The world presented is vibrant and imaginative, littered with all sorts of small but fun callbacks and touches reminiscent of previous Mario titles. Level scenery was fresh - a solid variety of background styles and elements paired with the game's vibrant and creative color usage made this game a feast for the eyes from start to finish.
The sound was a breath of fresh air as well - dynamic music made tracks feel more lively than ever. Percussion tracks will stop when you stand still, instruments will change when you grab certain powerups - it all comes together nicely. While the tracks didn't necessarily stick with me as much as I'd have liked them to, everything sounded nice and was a welcome change of pace from the usual Mario music repertoire. Having a new set of sound effects after decades of hearing the classic sounds recycled definitely elevated the experience as well. Certain legacy sound effects were repurposed in unexpected but welcome ways as well.
I haven't even mentioned the best part of Wonder yet, either - its gameplay. The moment I began to move around as Mario I couldn't help but crack a smile. The controls clicked IMMEDIATELY. Everything felt right. He gets up to speed quickly, and has a perfect jump that never feels too stiff or too floaty. But great control wouldn't mean much without great level design to back it up, and that's where Wonder absolutely excels. Almost every level has a new trick up its sleeve, and if it doesn't, it's putting a new twist on something it's already shown you.
If I had to find one final highlight to appreciate, it's the secrets. Part of the draw of the classic Mario titles were their neatly tucked-away Secrets, and Wonder delivers on this front in a way I adore even more. Many of the new level design gimmicks allowed the team to hide things in new and creative ways that challenge even veterans' instincts, and offer tons of challenge and replayability.
I've been going on for quite a while now, so time to wrap it up! Long story short, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is exactly what the series needed. Something familiar, yet entirely fresh at the same time! It will make going back to some of the previous titles harder, that's for sure. I haven't had this many good words to shower a platformer with since Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze...
Do yourself a favor and play Mario Wonder!!
Super Mario Bros. Wonder returns to Mario's fairy tale inspirations with its setting and premise. The world presented is vibrant and imaginative, littered with all sorts of small but fun callbacks and touches reminiscent of previous Mario titles. Level scenery was fresh - a solid variety of background styles and elements paired with the game's vibrant and creative color usage made this game a feast for the eyes from start to finish.
The sound was a breath of fresh air as well - dynamic music made tracks feel more lively than ever. Percussion tracks will stop when you stand still, instruments will change when you grab certain powerups - it all comes together nicely. While the tracks didn't necessarily stick with me as much as I'd have liked them to, everything sounded nice and was a welcome change of pace from the usual Mario music repertoire. Having a new set of sound effects after decades of hearing the classic sounds recycled definitely elevated the experience as well. Certain legacy sound effects were repurposed in unexpected but welcome ways as well.
I haven't even mentioned the best part of Wonder yet, either - its gameplay. The moment I began to move around as Mario I couldn't help but crack a smile. The controls clicked IMMEDIATELY. Everything felt right. He gets up to speed quickly, and has a perfect jump that never feels too stiff or too floaty. But great control wouldn't mean much without great level design to back it up, and that's where Wonder absolutely excels. Almost every level has a new trick up its sleeve, and if it doesn't, it's putting a new twist on something it's already shown you.
If I had to find one final highlight to appreciate, it's the secrets. Part of the draw of the classic Mario titles were their neatly tucked-away Secrets, and Wonder delivers on this front in a way I adore even more. Many of the new level design gimmicks allowed the team to hide things in new and creative ways that challenge even veterans' instincts, and offer tons of challenge and replayability.
I've been going on for quite a while now, so time to wrap it up! Long story short, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is exactly what the series needed. Something familiar, yet entirely fresh at the same time! It will make going back to some of the previous titles harder, that's for sure. I haven't had this many good words to shower a platformer with since Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze...
Do yourself a favor and play Mario Wonder!!